So takes on Villamayor as 'Battle of GMs' starts
An exciting match between defending champion Wesley So and fellow grandmaster Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor will highlight the start of the 2009 Phoenix Petroleum-Dapitan City “Battle of GMs" chess championship at the Dapitan City Resort Hotel.
So, playing once again on Philippine soil after his campaigns in the Corus tournament in The Netherlands and in the Aeroflot Open in Moscow, will play behind the black pieces during the opening match.
“It’s a big challenge for me to defend the title against my equally-strong rivals, but I’m ready," said the 15-year-old So, who is also the top seed in the tournament with ELO of 2627.
Equally exciting are the other first round face-offs featuring GM Eugene Torre against IM Rolando Nolte; GM John Paul Gomez against GM Jayson Gonzales; GM Mark Paragua against International Master Richard Bitoon; GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. against IM Julio Catalino Sadorra; and GM Darwin Laylo against IM Ronald Dableo.
Seeing action in the women’s division are Loreshyl Cuizon, Christy Lamiel Bernales, Rida Jane Young, Catherine Perena, Beverly Mendoza, Jan JOdilyn Fronda, Rulp Ylen Jose, Jedara Docena, Sherily Cua, Shercila Cua, Daisy Rivera, and Kimberly Jane Cunanan.
At stake in the men’s division is the P200,000 top prize. The runner-up and the third placer will receive P100,000 and P80,000, respectively. The winner in the women’s category will earn P60,000 and trophy.
Ferdz Recio
Angel Locsin